The delectable season of Advent is soon to be upon us and I found that making a list was probably the best thing I could have done...the best thing I have done this year.
Gone are the days I was finished shopping by September.
Nowadays I'm one of those last minute Christmas Eve shoppers.
Gone are the days I had every little detail pinned down, bought and planned for by November 1st.
Nowadays Advent usually ends with only half of my plans laid out much less being carried out.
Gone are the days I feverishly drummed my fingertips on the tabletop in eager anticipation to begin decorating my house.
Nowadays I catch myself biting my fingernails in feverish procrastination as the countdown towards Advent begins.
But not this year...!
My recent 'Advent-to-do' list organized not only my thoughts but my actions as well. Because of this list I feel ever so prideful...ever so slightful...ever so gleeful...ever so joyful...in control. Yes, I know that pride goeth before a fall and is an ominous sin but I figure that with this list if I take a fall at least I'll hit my knees before I land on my face. I practically have my trees planted if not decorated.
Due to our recent week-long camping trip, the decorations have not been confiscated from the attic but, since I usually don't get started on Christmas preparations until December 1st, this really isn't a major dilemma for me. So far I consider myself a bit ahead of the festivities...because I'm all too aware of how far behind I've been in the past. Today we did what we could with what was accessible. Tomorrow morning GameBoy and I are rolling up our sleeves to tackle the attic for the Christmas decorations. Tomorrow is W.O.W. day. That's Watch Out World!
If nothing else, the Advent Table is ready for this Sunday. Baby Steps. That's all I have to focus on.
The Advent wreath sits on the table in centered-observation and hushed awe at the preparations being made around it.
We were badly in need of a new Advent Wreath this year. Our old one was faded and the poinsettia leaves didn't have much icey flair or snowy luster left in them. I like simple and tailored designs, especially the ones the children help with. I selected a small greenery ring priced $1.99 at Michael's Craft Store, some gold pinecones, red-glittery leaves, and small votive candles placed in glass holders. The whole wreath probably cost us $10.00 to make on our own.
We will use the book Advent and Christmas with Fulton Sheen for our morning Advent reading selections. Fulton Sheen is a delight to read, easy to understand, and richly rewarding. He has a way of fueling a thought with the impact of the atomic bomb into the condensed form the size of an acorn.
Before or after the devotional reading, the younger girls will take turns opening the paper doors of our new Advent Calendar. I chose this one at our Catholic bookstore yesterday mainly because it shows a map with Nazareth, Jerusalem, and Bethlehem on it. Even with the caricatures upon it, I feel it will help the younger children to realize the distances between the towns and which direction the Magi traveled while following the star.
Our Advent Cubes which we are doing with another family are ready for the making.
So far the children's gifts are bought and stuffed away at Oma's (along with Christmas wrappings, Scotch tape, and name tags). I am making head-way on the other gifts and feel quite confident I'll be finished before the Christmas Eve rush...for once.
The cookie list has been made. The girls sat down and finished writing down their selections today. I found some nice copper-tone Christmas cookie cutters at Michael's yesterday. The girls were thrilled. The boys will be as well...once the cookies are baked.
The list selected from our Gooseberry Patch Christmas Cookie 
Cookbook so far is:
- Snowman Cookies
- Cookies for Santa
- Stained Glass Cookies
- Gingerbread Cookies
- Chocolate Snowball Cookies
- Nana's Old-Fashion Cookies
- Fruit Jewel Cookies
- Caramel Apple Cookies
- Caramel Iced Cookies
- Ginger Snaps
- Chocolate Chip Bar Cookies
- Eggnog Bars
- Frosty Orange Slush Cookies
- Fabulous Festive Candy
The Advent bag (HT to Meredith who coined the "grab bag day" idea) is labeled and standing at attention for eager hands to dip into and pull up its sugary surprises. (I noticed one of the little gold ribbons was sliding off after I snapped the picture; there's always one in every bunch that doesn't want to cooperate and this was the one.)
The Christmas picture order has been placed (even if the picture was taken earlier in the year).
The Live Nativity is arranged and the children are eager to take their proper places at the Prayer Garden this weekend.
Annie's birthday party decorations and accessories have been bought and stored in my closet. Whew! Those with December birthdays will understand my relief. The party date has been set. Come wind-swept snow or icey stares from icicles, the party will proceed and be a merry affair.
The Christmas crafts and projects have been bought, spread upon the table, explained, and proportioned out to their owners. Santa's elves could not have done it better.
Each day the children will be able to delve into the contents of their goodie bags and select one craft to make. I plan to replenish the bags before the baubles and bonbons run short.
I also stocked our craft cabinet with lots of FOAMIE projects because they are so children-mom friendly...simple and easy and require no "teacher stress". I was tempted to buy the nativity set but my friend already ordered sets for all the children. We will be getting together with these good friends to do the Advent Cubs, some cookie baking, some crafts, and the Tomie dePaola unit.
In a recent email she wrote:
"I would like to do the blocks that you mentioned, some Tomie de Paola books, celebrate St. Lucy's feast day, make advent wreath, make manger for baby Jesus and add straw for good deeds, foam nativity scene (which I ordered from Oriental trading enough for your two or three dc, too -- I want to put magnetic backing on the pieces and possibly turn it into advent calendar), Jesse tree, O Antiphons week, learn Christmas songs voice and piano, old fashioned sugar cookies with the nativity cookie cutters (on the way), some kind of penance day, and I would like for the kids to participate in some kind of organized philanthropy. "
I must admit that my expression went slightly wide-eyed as I read her list. Because of past failures at producing the outcome I desired, I'm slightly skitish overly terrified of over-planning, over-hyping, over-expecting, and becoming over-whelmed. But it helps to know there is another adult planning, organizing, purchasing, and carrying out the plans. It makes grumpy ol' Hoshmakaka's Last Straw and Advent Journey so much easier to carry.
Two heads are always better than one. My friend has included a couple of ideas in her plans which I didn't think of...didn't dream of... yet I was so excited when I saw her thought process. While I was just thinking fun-fun-fun/practicality/beauty/glitter/snow, she was reaching down deeper, below the superficial fluff of Christmas and searching at drawing a refreshing draft from the Mass of Christ. I adore the hints of spiritual renewal she is offering in her plans and look forward to participating in them. I have a sneaky suspicion that I will gain more from them than my children will. (More on those ideas later.)
As the month, the activities, and the decorations unfold I plan to blog them periodically. I look forward at checking all of your blogs as well to see what plans you make, crafts you create, traditions you celebrate, and to rejoice with you in the wonder and waiting of Advent which we all embrace.
Hark the Herald Angels Sing...
Many Advent prayers and applause to Jenn over at Family Feast and Feria for hosting the Loveliness of Advent this week.
(Yes, I know the candles on my Advent Wreath are backwards. My nine-yr-old finally let me in on my "proof-that-I'm-only-human" flubber. You can read about it here.)
Your table and wreath are so beautiful. And I just love Archbishop Fulton Sheen. I was browsing through that very book in our Catholic bookstore this weekend. Now I want to go back and get it! :)
Posted by: Katherine in TX | November 27, 2006 at 08:48 PM
WOW, Cay!!! You are more than ready. We loved and used that same Fulton Sheen book last Advent--it is a treasure!
Thank you for including the Advent Cubes among these rich and beautiful traditions!
Posted by: Alice Gunther | November 28, 2006 at 12:31 AM
WOW! Cay you are organized. I love it. I too am anxiously awaiting Advent's start -- my littles are now getting old enough to really enjoy the activities without being so old they're "too worldly".
Blessings for a holy Advent season!
Posted by: Mary G | November 28, 2006 at 07:36 AM
Cay, you've done so much already! Good for you. I hope you have a wonderful Advent.
Posted by: Cheryl | November 28, 2006 at 06:25 PM
I love your ideas - and the list. I can't exist without my many lists
( and Advent and Christmas lists included!).
Posted by: Leonie | November 29, 2006 at 05:06 AM
An Advent grab bag - what a great idea! I cannot wait for Advent to start, so many wonderful ideas...BTW, too funny regarding the Advent Candles!
Posted by: Jennifer | November 29, 2006 at 07:13 AM
Cay
I enjoyed your post so much, you have inspired me to sit down and write a list:)
Posted by: Erin | November 30, 2006 at 04:38 AM